Running in cold weather isn’t just hard. It sucks.
Assuming you have the gear to keep you warm enough; it’s a lot easier to get outside and run a few miles. And after hundreds of hours running this past winter, the hardest things to keep warm are your face and hands.
I haven’t found the best face solution, but the Flipmits are pretty dang good for the hands… most of the time.
Peak Season
To be clear, the best time of the year for Flipmits is Spring and Fall. One morning it can be 50 °F and it’s nice to have these keep your hands warm for the first mile or two as your body warms up. The next day it can drop back down to below freezing and you want gloves for the entire run.
These are when the Flipmits shine!
The customizability is perfect for back-and-forth weather. Plus, Flipmits are easy to clean. Just throw them in the washer and dryer.
Also, I recommend getting the Heavy-Weight Flipmits, as an extra layer of warmth for those really cold mornings.
Not 100%
As much as I would like to say these can replace regular winter gloves. I can’t.
True winter mornings where it’s below 30 °F for the entire run, my thumbs freeze in these. And sometimes the rest of my fingers freeze too, because the Flipmits don’t have a seam to completely seal your hand in warmth.
You can make some adjustments, so your thumb and fingers are completely covered from the elements, but then your hand is cramped. Even when you wear them regularly your hands have to be in a slightly open/closed position. You can’t keep your hands flat or spread your fingers out.
Beyond 100%
I may not use these throughout the year for running, hiking, or a basic walk. However, these are the first glove-like-things that I use when I’m just chilling or working from home.
Because Flipmits can be used in a lot of different forms and folds, my fingers can be free while my palms are covered and warm. Aka, these are perfect for keeping your hands warm while typing and using a computer.
Something my wife absolutely loves, since her hands are always cold during the workday. (Whether it’s winter or summer.)
And it’s hard to deny just how functional these things are during Spring and Autumn. I’m still humbled and amazed that I can easily grab and use my phone mid-run. Especially since I don’t feel like I’m going to drop it like I do in normal gloves.
The Recap
There’s only so much you can say about a pair of gloves like these. Though weird and different, they’re really nice.
It’s like a thneed from The Lorax, but for your hands.
If you decide to pick up a pair, I highly recommend you size up based on their sizing chart AND get the heavy-duty Flipmits. It’s easier to convert these into fingerless mittens when your hands get hot than wearing a second pair when your hands are frozen.